Cabot Phillips

In a private meeting with Senate Republicans, Trump previewed his agenda revealing plans for roughly 100 executive orders to reshape US policy. including new tariffs and border restrictions. He emphasized his America-first approach, aiming to bypass congressional resistance and legal challenges.

In a private meeting with Senate Republicans, Trump previewed his agenda revealing plans for roughly 100 executive orders to reshape US policy. including new tariffs and border restrictions. He emphasized his America-first approach, aiming to bypass congressional resistance and legal challenges.

Immigration reforms are set to target asylum programs and humanitarian protections implemented under Biden and his much-touted deportation plan. He's also expected to leverage emergency powers to pressure trade partners and implement tariffs.

Immigration reforms are set to target asylum programs and humanitarian protections implemented under Biden and his much-touted deportation plan. He's also expected to leverage emergency powers to pressure trade partners and implement tariffs.

Yeah, so first, quick refresher on the debate surrounding Hegseth. Democrats say he's unqualified for the role and painted him as a Fox News host, a role he did hold most recently. But it's a bit disingenuous to just call him a TV personality.

Yeah, so first, quick refresher on the debate surrounding Hegseth. Democrats say he's unqualified for the role and painted him as a Fox News host, a role he did hold most recently. But it's a bit disingenuous to just call him a TV personality.

Hegseth graduated from Princeton before enlisting in the Army, serving 20 years as an officer with deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, where he received numerous medals, including two Bronze Stars. After that, he ran Concerned Veterans for America, a large nonprofit advocating for vets.

Hegseth graduated from Princeton before enlisting in the Army, serving 20 years as an officer with deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, where he received numerous medals, including two Bronze Stars. After that, he ran Concerned Veterans for America, a large nonprofit advocating for vets.

During his opening statement before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Hegseth laid out his and Donald Trump's vision for the Department of Defense.

During his opening statement before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Hegseth laid out his and Donald Trump's vision for the Department of Defense.

That's a very different word. And while the audience was full of his supporters, including dozens of Navy SEALs and Green Berets, there were also a handful of protesters who tried to disrupt the hearing for being physically carried out by police. Have a listen.

That's a very different word. And while the audience was full of his supporters, including dozens of Navy SEALs and Green Berets, there were also a handful of protesters who tried to disrupt the hearing for being physically carried out by police. Have a listen.

Well, they went after Hegseth on both a personal and professional level. A number of Democrats brought up Hegseth's past infidelity, along with uncorroborated reports of sexual misconduct. Now, Hegseth strongly denied those allegations, but conceded that he had been unfaithful in the past and had asked forgiveness from God.

Well, they went after Hegseth on both a personal and professional level. A number of Democrats brought up Hegseth's past infidelity, along with uncorroborated reports of sexual misconduct. Now, Hegseth strongly denied those allegations, but conceded that he had been unfaithful in the past and had asked forgiveness from God.

Other Democrats brought up media reports quoting anonymous former co-workers of his who claimed he'd routinely come to work drunk, though it's worth noting the only former co-workers who spoke about him on the record said those accusations were totally false. According to Hegseth, those stories were part of a smear campaign organized by those threatened by him taking control of the DOD.

Other Democrats brought up media reports quoting anonymous former co-workers of his who claimed he'd routinely come to work drunk, though it's worth noting the only former co-workers who spoke about him on the record said those accusations were totally false. According to Hegseth, those stories were part of a smear campaign organized by those threatened by him taking control of the DOD.

Later on, Hegseth also touched on the topic of race and gender quotas in the military. In his words, lowering the standards to accommodate DEI quotas leaves the military unprepared.

Later on, Hegseth also touched on the topic of race and gender quotas in the military. In his words, lowering the standards to accommodate DEI quotas leaves the military unprepared.

Now, remember, as long as Hegseth secures votes from 50 of the 53 Republican senators, he's in. At the start of the process, he really was viewed as anything but a sure bet, though. And there were very real concerns that some GOP members would not get on board for his confirmation. But this first hearing is any indication the party appears united around him.

Now, remember, as long as Hegseth secures votes from 50 of the 53 Republican senators, he's in. At the start of the process, he really was viewed as anything but a sure bet, though. And there were very real concerns that some GOP members would not get on board for his confirmation. But this first hearing is any indication the party appears united around him.